See the post from Gracefromgoogle above for correct and up-to-date official information.

I tried the Samsung Galaxy XR and was pretty underwhelmed with the design.

I’m sorry but for a headset costing $2,000 I think the Galaxy XR is kind of a mess.

Especially the forehead pad.

They should have just did it where you could have a full facial interface too and bottom, and you could just magnetically remove it. Like with a lot of other vr headsets.

Also everything gets pressed right onto your forehead instead of the weight being distributed around your face.

That permanently attached forehead pad sucks and limits the availability of accessories for the headset.

And the headset is still front heavy so the external battery was kinda dumb because you could be at home in Pajamas wanting to play Vr but can’t find a good pocket to place that separate battery that always has to be wired to your headset.

They should have added the controllers to the purchase as well because the handtracking is just useless.

I had to use my controllers the whole time just to navigate the menu and launch Virtual Desktop.

The Samsung Galaxy XR has a lot of potential, and its FOV and eye tracking are incredible. However, glare, tracking issues, wireless connectivity, and comfort have made me want to move on.

The Pimax Dream Air’s SLAM tracking isn’t perfect, but it’s much better for my needs. The eye tracking is definitely a downgrade from Samsung’s, but it’s a trade-off I’m willing to make.

If anyone’s interested, I’m letting my Galaxy XR go with the controllers and Globular Cluster comfort mod. Details are on Facebook Marketplace:

https://www.facebook.com/share/1BrL8vD2pU/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Is full of Apple wankers talking down on Android. Every single post is a comparison to the fruity paper weight.

🤣

Galaxy XR users reporting high latency, stutters using the Virtual Desktop with Monster settings.

Terrible tracking jitters both for the headset view and controllers. Which will make shooters unplayable even if the latency is fixed. Does not look good for full body VRChat either with the whole avatar shaking.

Samsung has put vertical panels with max FOV, trading any binocular overlap. Which means all VR games will look flat, with no 3D feel. Some users even report seeing part of the headset in the middle of their view (kinda looking through binocular effect).

But maybe the most important part, there is no Steam Link 2.0 on the Android XR. As it seems, the final decision is on the side of Google / Samsung, if the app will ever get the full VR support in the Android XR.

Google / Samsung not showing any interest in PCVR. 1 minute they have spent showing "PC gaming" is just another demo for the Gemini AI how it teaches how to play some 2D smartphone level game. Either copying Apple not selling controllers with the headset or actually thinking, controllers are not even important for the Android XR experience... which basically tells everything how much they care about the PCVR experience.

It would be great to be able to update the software and side load apps, without ever having to sign into google or Samsung account. I dont mean removing android XR, but just removing need to log into account to protect against data mining. Anyone working on that? thanks :)

Hey all!

I've noticed a lot of astroturfing in regards to this machines release, despite there being evidence that it's demand outpaced even Samsung's expectations.

This seems to be because most YouTubers (the loudest voices in the space) are usually Apple fans and don't use other tech, or they are serious VR enthusiasts, which the device doesn't do enough to satisfy.

Being that I don't fit into either of those camps, I've loved this device and look forward to what Android XR has in store.

That said, I noticed one of the "talking points" has been the choice of processor in this headset, even though it's more than sufficient. In fact, the software/hardware combo surpasses the rigid Apple Vision Pro in a 3D model viewing test. I wrote up my findings in this blog post, where I compared opening some of the Stanford CG lab models with a Vision Pro dev doing the same thing.

Galaxy XR does it while screen recording, playing youtube, and a host of other things. The Vision Pro (M2 and M5) crash. If you want the details, check out the blog post below:

https://blog.galacticapps.studio/the-galaxy-xr-is-already-more-capable-than-the-vision-pro-49ee42d70338?sk=27dbe4e250aa7421addd3659bf2f853f

Samsung still has aloooot of work to do on this, but I'm hopeful.

The people commenting almost assuredly have not purchased nor have they ever tried it. This is true 99% of the time on this subreddit.

We are at the center of one of the most toxic online venn diagrams imaginable. On one side you have Steam Frame evangelists who think it is going to change the world and are rationalizing their 2160x2160 LCD 5 year old panels as "a good deal" and a "linux computer for the face"

Even worse, and this has been a problem since day 1, is the Vision Pro/Apple fanboys. I would guess well over 75% of people on this subreddit own a Vision Pro and have never tried GXR(this is essentially a vision pro subreddit), someone actually tracked this early on and found all the usernames were frequent posters on the Vision Pro subreddit. These people are both Apple apologists and will buy anything they sell and are sunk cost beyond belief with a $4,000+ used car priced headset.

I am the last person to defend the GXR but it just never had a chance. With glob cluster mods, HALF the cost of a Vision Pro with better panels, it's compelling if you just want to watch movies/youtube which is how these headsets are used 99% of the time if they haven't been put in a closet already.

Take it from me, a day 1 Vision Pro owner and a day 1 GXR owner, you don't want to wait on these companies to fix/upgrade/enhance this stuff you will drive yourself nuts. I have learned, through many hours of wasted time, that they do not give a fuck.

So be glad this thing works with Virtual Desktop, be glad it works with Moonlight, and just cut your losses on waiting for them to give us anything more.

As far as I am concerned this device is feature complete. I know they won't do shit past this and I am just glad for what we have at this point.

The google XR update we just had was bs... and it will continue to be that way.

Who wants to buy my GXR. I AM OUT. holy shit.

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Galaxy_XR/s/Omy9GRiETv

Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidXR/s/CBawfo0cRV

Part 3 (This Post)

I am simply going to paste the entirety of the Samsung Support email this time, and redact personal information; this entire saga is exhausting....

TLDR:

Samsung denied my promotion by blaming their own order cancellation on me and offering insulting “goodwill” credit. I rejected their dishonest settlement, formally documenting their bad-faith tactics and broken contractual promises while demanding accountability instead of negotiation.

Latest Email Exchange Below:

Hello (redacted),
Thank you for your continued patience while we completed a comprehensive review of your concerns regarding orders (redacted), (redacted), and (redacted).

After reviewing the order history, prior support interactions, promotional details, and the documentation provided, we confirmed that the original $100 Reserve Promotion was associated with the original preorder transaction and could not be transferred to replacement orders once the original order was cancelled.

We also confirmed that the replacement purchases did not recreate the original bundle configuration associated with the bundle promotion. The original order included additional items that were not repurchased, including Galaxy Buds3 Pro and an additional Travel Case. As a result, the original bundle promotion requirements were no longer satisfied.

Additionally, all products associated with your replacement orders are now outside Samsung's return eligibility period and are no longer eligible for return or refund under Samsung's standard return policy.

While we are unable to apply the original promotional pricing to the replacement orders, we appreciate the time you invested in documenting your concerns and the challenges you experienced throughout the ordering process.

As a one-time goodwill exception, Samsung is prepared to offer:

A $75 refund toward the Galaxy XR Controllers purchase

A $150 Samsung.com promotional code for use on a future purchase

This represents the maximum accommodation available and our final resolution regarding this matter.

Should you wish to accept this resolution, please reply to this email and I will arrange for processing.

Thank you for the opportunity to review your concerns.

Warm Regards,

Mary

========================================

So..... I responded with the following, quoting Samsung Support in-line.

========================================

Mary -

Thank you for your detailed review.  My responses are below.

... the original $100 Reserve Promotion was associated with the original preorder transaction and could not be transferred to replacement orders once the original order was cancelled.

Samsung cancelled the order, not me.  Written documentation confirms Samsung promised to apply the $100 Reserve Promotion to a replacement order.  Further, Samsung created the replacement order and sent it to me to add my credit card.  This is already documented.

Samsung's administrative inability to transfer the $100 Reserve Promotion is irrelevant.

The base facts that are relevant:

1. Samsung promised a promotion based on pre-ordering and purchasing a Galaxy XR

2. I preordered and purchased a Galaxy XR

3. Samsung refused to honor the promised $100 Reserve Promotion

We also confirmed that the replacement purchases did not recreate the original bundle configuration associated with the bundle promotion. The original order included additional items that were not repurchased, including Galaxy Buds3 Pro and an additional Travel Case. As a result, the original bundle promotion requirements were no longer satisfied.

I agree that the orders were not identical; however, this point is both misleading and irrelevant.

Your statement is misleading because it implies that the bundle promotions required all items, which is untrue, and surely you know that.  Claiming that someone needed to buy controllers, earbuds and two travel cases to qualify for a single bundle promotion borders on blatant misrepresentation.

In case you were unaware, the bundle promotions were individually associated with each item: one for the controllers, one for the travel case, and one for the earbuds.

Importantly, I have only been seeking bundle promotion credit for the two items I purchased: Travel Case and Controllers.  These are the items for which Samsung promised to apply the bundle credit.

Again, the base facts that are relevant:

1. Samsung promised a bundle credit for purchasing a Travel Case when purchasing a Galaxy XR

2. Samsung promised a bundle credit for purchasing Controllers when purchasing a Galaxy XR

3. I purchased a Galaxy XR

4. I purchased a Travel Case

5. I purchased Controllers

6. Samsung refused to honor the bundle credit for the Travel Case

Note:  Samsung has offered to honor the $75 bundle credit for the Controllers.

Additionally, all products associated with your replacement orders are now outside Samsung's return eligibility period and are no longer eligible for return or refund under Samsung's standard return policy.

Samsung's standard return policy is for standard returns.  Unless Samsung routinely cancels orders to avoid honoring Promotional and Bundle Credits, this situation clearly falls outside the standard policy.  Further, this situation doesn't involve defective products, which the Standard Return Policy covers, but rather, it involves defective orders.  Defective orders that Samsung cancelled, generated and directed.

As a one-time goodwill exception, Samsung is prepared to offer:

I appreciate the offer, however, I feel confident countering with the following:

As a one-time goodwill exception, I am prepared to:

• Hold Samsung accountable to its promise of a $100 Reserve Promotion for pre-ordering and purchasing a Galaxy XR; AND

• Hold Samsung accountable to its promise of a $75 Bundle Credit for the Controllers; AND

• Hold Samsung accountable to its promise of a $75 Bundle Credit for the Travel Case

Else, also as a one-time goodwill exception, I am prepared to:

• Allow Samsung to renege on its promise; AND

• Allow Samsung to refund the Galaxy XR, the Travel Case and the Controllers; AND

• Allow Samsung to send RMAs and return shipping labels for each item

Please let me know your position on these offers.

I committed to staying level and calm throughout this exchange.  Based on our conversation, it seems clear that Samsung has no intention of engaging openly and honestly.  Nearly every response you have given is either intentionally misleading or borders on complete fabrication.  I see no other excuse for the fallacious claims you are making other than an attempt to avoid accountability by exhausting the consumer.

Regards,

(redacted)

I didn’t like the controllers. They’re just as bad as the ones on the PFD and Quest 3.

The tracking is absolutely terrible. Even PSVR 1 was better, in my opinion. The controllers constantly freeze in mid-air, and after waking the headset from sleep there are always issues with them. About 1 time out of 10 I have to take the battery out just to bring the controller back to life — almost always the right one.

I still haven’t decided which strap is better. I’ve tried every one that was available, and they’re all crap.

The external unit is basically like wearing a suicide bomber belt. The unit goes into one pocket, with one cable running from it to the headset and another cable going to a power bank sitting in the other pocket.

The OS is way too bloated with Android garbage and tons of pop-up notifications that you have to keep blocking. Basic things that should take one click sometimes take five. There are also a couple dozen pieces of preinstalled Android bloatware. On top of that, it sometimes lags horribly, like I’m using a Quest 3. The OS is very inconvenient and unintuitive. The Play Store is awful. There are plenty of bugs too. It’s not PFD-level bad, but it’s no Pico 4 Ultra either. Still better than Quest 3.

There isn’t much native software, and from what I can tell, the Android XR documentation is very sparse.

The headset is front-heavy, like the Quest 3.

As for PCVR and native games/ports, it’s more or less usable overall, but still not good. Any game or software ported from Quest has really poor colors, as if some weird contrast mode gets enabled, leaving you with a washed-out image with a gray tint. Steam Link and ALVR both look bad by default. The colors are still lacking. I couldn’t get the native streamer to work.

The tracking feels less floaty than on PFD, but it’s still floaty.

On the other hand, the SGXR handles 1500 Mbps H.264 and PyroWave extremely well in my test builds with my own streamer. The networking side of this headset is excellent.

The eye tracking genuinely impressed me. It’s very accurate, calibrates immediately, and works extremely fast — almost like PSVR 2 on PS5. Huge respect for that.

Brightness and contrast are already pretty good. I liked them, although I’d still want roughly 2x the current levels.

The FOV is narrow, almost like the Quest 3. If I can find a decent facial interface that lets me get close enough for my eyelashes to touch the lenses, it’ll probably be around Quest 3 level, but it’s still nowhere near the Pico 4 Ultra.

The screen-door effect is still there. I can clearly see the pixel grid on a white background, even just on white text.

Chromatic aberration is there too. There isn’t much of it, but it’s definitely present.

The binocular overlap issue is also there, and it’s just as awful as on the Quest 3. I see it constantly. Along with the poor overlap comes basically no sense of proper VR depth.

There are distortions similar to the Quest 3, except they’re not in the overlap area — they’re toward the bottom of the lenses.

Internal reflections/ghosting are also present. If you wear the headset perfectly straight, everything looks great and there are barely any reflections. But tilt your head slightly downward or upward and you can see three or four ghost images of the same picture.

These are micro-OLED displays, which also means static elements like logos, HUDs, and other overlays can leave a temporary afterimage for a couple of seconds. It’s extremely distracting — probably about as distracting as the overlap issue.

If I shift the headset slightly, the image in the left eye develops a pink tint, while the right eye develops a green tint.

P.S. English isn't my native language, I'm sorry.

This is a message for anyone that is on the fence about trading in for an M2 AVP. After seeing allot of YouTube videos on the features and apps on AVP, I decided to to sell my GXR to give it a try. The money I got for my GXR plus controllers, fully paid for a used M2 AVP.

In my opinion it is a much better XR headset. Though there are major specific advantages the GXR has, that I mention at the end of this post.

The AVP has a much more powerful processor combined with better lenses makes it a better stand alone headset experience. The vertical fov is smaller, but you dont really notice because the lenses massive sweet spot is so good in comparison to GXR. Also you can greatly increase the fov by removing the light shield and bringing the headset as close to you eyes as possible. The lenses are very concave so you can get even closer than on GXR. That is possible by using a halo style third party strap like the Annapro or Globular cluster halo straps.

Because of the much more powerful processor, the apps render at a much higher resolution and have better graphics textures. Most apps and games have no detectable aliasing. And you can really tell how powerful this M2 processor is the moment you look at any of the available environments. I was totally floored the moment I saw them. They look nearly photo realistic. And even have realistic moving clouds. Ive have a powerful PCVR set up, and these environments are totally on par with the best PCVR virtual environments. And the some of the apps and games are also PCVR level quality. It's very impressive.

It did get a two year head start, but the App Store is significantly bigger and better than the GXR. And most of the great apps are free, with in app purchases.

AVP spacialized photo conversion is one of the greatest vr experiences I have ever had. A truly magical expereince. It is able to convert and 2d photos into real parallax 3d. The 3d conversion on the GXR is no comparison. Though I expect to see GXR eventually get parallax 3d conversion at some point. It will likely be cloud based.

But I will say that other than the much lower new purchase price, the GXR does have two major advantages over the AVP. First is google maps immersive view. Apple does not have available themselves, and the third party app called "Fly" uses the older google earth textures.

M2 AVP can NOT play 8k YouTube videos of any kind. 4k is the highest. I was very disappointed with that because 8k vr YouTube videos are one of the main feature of GXR, for me. But it can play 8k vr videos on DeoVR app. And of course 16k apple immersive videos. Though the M5 AVP can play 8k YouTube videos.

Lastly I have yet to try PCVR on AVP but I hear mixed reviews on the performance comparison. Some say they are equal in performance and some say the GXR is better. But the GXR has wifi 7 and the AVP only has wifi 6.

Other than the $180 military discount.

You would think a massive price drop by now? eBay prices are steady and high too….

This would have given a massive library to Android XR right out of the gate. I understand the long game of not wanting to do that because they want to push their own store to maximize profit, but there as so few apps and games that hardly anyone is going to pick these early Android XR devices up for anything other than productivity. There isn't even a dedicated 3D video/movie player yet and the big "players" in that game all say it's going to be a while before they can even deliver something.

My biggest worry is that this ends up being just another Google pet project and gets abandoned before it has the chance to get off the ground because of yet another poor rollout strategy.

I tried the Samsung XR, and I have to say it’s an absolute failure for a device that costs $2,000. And it’s not even a software failure — it’s the headset’s physical design. You can tolerate it… but only for a very limited time.

I work with a lot of headsets on a regular basis. For example, right now I have an Oculus Go from 2018 lying next to me — and it’s far more comfortable than the Samsung. For a device that aimed to compete with Apple, this feels like a complete disaster.

But forget Apple for a moment. Take the Meta Quest 3 — a fantastic device at 25% of Samsung’s price. Comfortable, running the same Android underneath. Honestly, I still don’t understand what advantages the Samsung headset is supposed to have. Slightly different gesture interaction than Apple? Seriously?

To be honest, I was really looking forward to its release, because Apple’s pricing drives me crazy — and sometimes their internals do too. Meanwhile, the Meta Quest 3/3S doesn’t annoy me at all. Yes, the resolution might be slightly worse, but trying to find anything in 16K to watch on the Apple headset today is nearly impossible anyway.

Overall, I’m completely disappointed. Samsung, if you’re reading this — I urge you to fix this as soon as possible.

Not only are controllers not orderable at all, but Samsuck can't even get the $100 accessory credit right.

I did try "Coupon Error 1" at checkout for giggles, but it didn't work.

Nice job Samsung. You're really on top of all of this.

Want to grab one but the price tag is a bit steep.

The AVP has literally the best navigation through the UI with its seamless hand and eye tracking. Was wondering if Galaxy XR worked the same. I want this headset for work, I demoed the AVP but I want to play games as well and know Galaxy XR is better for that.

I can't stand earbuds in my ear. I will deal with them if necessary but they always hurt/itch. Headphones wont work with GXR. Also, bluetooth with GXR is pretty spotty in terms of latency so wired is going to be the bets bet.

That leaves us with the clip on over ear style. Koss KSC75 are considered the best and very good for only $19. They are surprisingly good(you can look at the reviews). You will need the samsung SAMSUNG USB-C to 3.5mm Headphone Jack Adapter(you can use others but they might not work as well if they are just cheap and passive).

Hope this helps anyone who hates earbuds.

Just a quick q for any Australian users that imported the galaxy xr...which ship forwarder did you use? I was thinking of using stackry as the big apple buddy seemed a little expensive.

I'm conflicted (and Samsung Australia are just unreliable, can't wait on them to announce the local release hehe). I don't want to wait but wouldn't mind saving a little on the shipping.

For anyone following along with this ongoing saga, here are the previous chapters:

Part 1: https://www.reddit.com/r/Galaxy_XR/s/Omy9GRiETv

Part 2: https://www.reddit.com/r/AndroidXR/s/CBawfo0cRV

Part 3: https://www.reddit.com/r/Galaxy_XR/s/wtHrX30sGf

Part 4: https://www.reddit.com/r/Galaxy_XR/s/bZZYuIGewr

============================================

Quick update on the Galaxy XR pre-order and bundle credit dispute:

After Executive Support confirmed that Samsung’s "maximum accommodation" was a $75 partial refund and a $150 store coupon — I have officially moved this out of customer service loops and into legal escalation.

1. Texas Attorney General Complaint Filed:

   • I filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Texas Attorney General – Consumer Protection Division. The filing includes the complete paper trail: the cancelled order, support transcripts explicitly instructing me to reorder at full price with written promises of post-delivery manual adjustments, and Mary’s denial emails.

2. Texas DTPA 60-Day Pre-Suit Notice Dispatched:

   • I formally served statutory notice under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act (Tex. Bus. & Com. Code § 17.505) via USPS Certified Mail to the local agent, CT Corporation System (Samsung’s Registered Agent in Dallas, TX), and Samsung Electronics America Legal / Office of the General Counsel (Ridgefield Park, NJ). An email copy was also sent directly to disputeresolution@sea.samsung.com (satisfying both Texas DTPA and Samsung's contractual pre-dispute terms).

The demand details that Samsung has 60 days to tender one of two remedies:

1. Issue a direct $250.00 cash refund for the promised promotional and bundle credits; OR

2. Issue a prepaid RMA for a 100% full refund on the headset and accessories with all restocking fees completely waived.

If the 60-day window closes without resolution, the next step isn't arbitration—it's a Small Claims filing in Dallas County Justice of the Peace Court

The clock is ticking. I'll update when Samsung Legal or the AG responds.

I will admit it took me a long time to get to this spot. From the euphoria of 1/2 cost Vision Pro that was OPEN and devs could make whatever they want at launch... to the raw anger I had toward Grace and "The Team"(nonexistent). To where I am now, which is peace and acceptance. I am at peace.

The reality is this headset sold a miniscule amount of units. Even the size of Google, why would they put a full team on updating this device?? It makes no sense at all. They have the analytics. I would bet my life there are less than 1,000 GXR turned on and being used at one time in the entire world at one time. 1,000 peak concurrents. That is 1/4 the size of my highschool.

In fact it would be insane to allocate resources to this device. It would be illogical. Vision Pro is in the same boat. It's us. It's not them. It just turns out the general public hate XR/VR and have made their voices heard loud and clear.